MIDFIELDER Mark Randall returned to the Newport County AFC squad at Morecambe on Tuesday night and is set to play a part in the club’s battle to beat the drop.

Randall last played for County in the 0-0 draw at Barnet on January 21 when he was substituted after less than half an hour.

After heading directly for the changing room and subsequently handing in a transfer request he was left out in the cold by manager Graham Westley.

He was told to stay away from training and it looked like the former Arsenal man would not play again for the Exiles.

But, after Westley was sacked last week, caretaker manager Michael Flynn has welcomed Randall back into the fold.

He was an unused substitute as County won 1-0 at the Globe Arena to move off the bottom of the table and to within seven points of safety.

And Flynn says the 27-year-old is keen to help the club escape relegation from League Two.

“I looked at it Saturday and I didn’t feel comfortable because I had four strikers on the bench and I didn’t have a midfielder,” explained Flynn.

“As it happened Benno [Scot Bennett] had to go in midfield and Mickey Demetriou went on and it worked well for us but I just thought that Mark could come back in.

“If I was going to use him it would have only been for 10 or 15 minutes.

“But I’ve spoken to him, we had a good conversation and his head is in the right place.

“He’s keen to play and be part of it and if we can get him in the right space he’s a very gifted footballer.

“I’ve been happy with his attitude.”

Fellow midfielder Ben Tozer, who was also sidelined by Westley, is also expected to return to the squad but he is currently nursing an injury.

“Ben has spoken to the board,” said Flynn. “He’s got a little bit of a niggle and he’s having a scan on that so I’m not expecting Ben in this week at all.

“But no door is closed, there’s competition for places and I want those headaches.”